LanguageKnow logo LanguageKnow

LanguageKnow is better in the app.Free on Google Play and the App Store.

Get the app

Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop

[mon-kee dey work, baboon dey chop]

phrase proverbs and sayings

LanguageWest African Pidgin (Nigeria)

Meaning
  1. Monkey works, baboon eats
  2. This proverb describes a social or workplace imbalance where labor is performed by one party while another party receives the reward or profit without contributing.
Examples

I did all the planning for the party, but now the manager takes all the credit, Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.

I did all the planning for the party, but now the manager takes all the credit, one works and another eats.

Person A: "I did all the planning for the event, but the boss took all the credit." Person B: "Ah, na monkey dey work, baboon dey chop."

Pronunciationmon-kee dey work, baboon dey chop

Registerneutral

How it is usedUsed to describe situations where one person does all the work while another reaps the benefits

Status: AI-generated — awaiting native speaker review

This entry was generated automatically and is awaiting verification by a native speaker. Native speakers can verify or correct it in the LanguageKnow app.